Sport sticks configured to selectively disassemble and having adjustable strength and flex characteristics

Abstract

Sport sticks including a shaft, a plurality of different shaft connectors, and a head are disclosed. The shaft includes at least a first shaft section and a second shaft section. Each of the shaft connectors may couple the first shaft section to the second shaft section. The sport stick is configured to selectively convert between an assembled configuration and a disassembled configuration. In the assembled configuration, the first section, the first shaft connector, and the second section are coupled together. In the disassembled configuration, one or more of the first section, the first shaft connector, and the second section are selectively decoupled. Each one of the plurality of shaft connectors defines at least one of a unique strength characteristic of the sport stick and a unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when the sport stick is in the assembled configuration.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A sport stick system for a sport stick that is configured to selectively convert between an assembled configuration and a disassembled configuration, comprising:
 a first shaft section defined by a first proximal shaft section end and a first distal shaft section end, wherein the first shaft section includes a first hole disposed through a wall of the first shaft section proximate to the first distal shaft section end; 
 a second shaft section defined by a second proximal shaft section end and a second distal shaft section end, wherein the second shaft section includes a second hole disposed through a wall of the second shaft section proximate to the second proximal shaft section end; and 
 a plurality of shaft connectors each configured to couple the first distal shaft section end of the first shaft section to the second proximal shaft section end of the second shaft section, 
 wherein each one of the plurality of shaft connectors comprise:
 a body defined by a proximal body end located at a proximal end of the body and a distal body end located at a distal end of the body, wherein a predefined body length defines a length of the body; 
 a first detent extending from the proximal body end of the body, the first detent comprising a first projection that is configured to engage the first hole of the first shaft section; and 
 a second detent extending from the distal body end of the body, the second detent comprising a second projection that is configured to engage the second hole of the second shaft section, 
 
 wherein in the assembled configuration, the first section, the first shaft connector, and the second section are coupled together, 
 wherein in the disassembled configuration, one or more of the first section, the first shaft connector, and the second section are selectively decoupled, 
 wherein a total shaft connector length is defined by a distance from the first projection of the first detent to the second projection of the second detent, and 
 wherein the total shaft connector length is the same for each of the plurality of shaft connectors, and 
 wherein the predefined body length of a first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different from the predefined body length of a second one of the plurality of shaft connectors. 
 
     
     
       2. The sport stick system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the predefined body length of the body of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors defines at least one of a unique strength characteristic of the sport stick and a unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when the sport stick is in the assembled configuration. 
 
     
     
       3. The sport stick system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein a first unique strength characteristic of the sport stick when assembled with the first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is defined by the first predefined body length, 
 wherein a second unique strength characteristic of the sport stick when assembled with the second one of the plurality of shaft connectors is defined by the second predefined body length, and 
 wherein the first unique strength characteristic associated with the first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different from the second unique strength characteristic associated with the second one of the plurality of shaft connectors because the predefined body length the first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different from the predefined body length of the second one of the plurality of shaft connectors. 
 
     
     
       4. The sport stick system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein a first unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when assembled with the first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is defined by the first predefined body length, 
 wherein a second unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when assembled with the second one of the plurality of shaft connectors is defined by the second predefined body length, and 
 wherein the first unique flexibility characteristic associated with the first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different from the second unique flexibility characteristic associated with the second one of the plurality of shaft connectors because the predefined body length the first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different from the predefined body length of the second one of the plurality of shaft connectors. 
 
     
     
       5. The sport stick system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the body of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is further defined by a proximal body portion and a distal body portion, 
 wherein the proximal body portion is defined by a predefined proximal body length, 
 wherein the distal body portion is defined by a predefined distal body length, 
 wherein the predefined proximal body length is different from the predefined distal body length, and 
 wherein the predefined proximal body length and the predefined distal body length of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors cooperatively define at least one of the unique strength characteristic of the sport stick and the unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when the sport stick is in the assembled configuration. 
 
     
     
       6. The sport stick system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first section, the first connector, and the second section each define a longitudinal bore, wherein the longitudinal bore extends through the first section, the first connector, and the second section when the sport stick is in the assembled condition, 
 the sport stick system further comprising:
 an elongate tension bearing member defined by a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle section, 
 wherein the middle section of the elongate tension bearing member extends through the longitudinal bores of the first section, the first connector, and the second section to maintain the first section, the first connector, and the second section in proximity to each other while the sport stick is in the disassembled configuration. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The sport stick system of  claim 6 ,
 wherein the shaft connector of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors includes a slot disposed along a longitudinal length a wall of the shaft connector, 
 wherein a width of the slot corresponds to a thickness of the elongate tension bearing member, and 
 wherein during assembly of the sport stick, the elongate tension bearing member is slid through the slot of the shaft connector. 
 
     
     
       8. The sport stick system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the shaft connector of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is made of a different material, and 
 wherein at least one of a unique strength characteristic of the sport stick and a unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when the sport stick is in the assembled configuration is defined by a characteristic of the material. 
 
     
     
       9. The sport stick system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the shaft connector of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is defined by a plurality of walls, 
 wherein the plurality of walls of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors have a predefined thickness dimension, 
 wherein the predefined thickness dimension of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different, and 
 wherein at least one of a unique strength characteristic of the sport stick and a unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when the sport stick is in the assembled configuration is defined by the predefined thickness dimension. 
 
     
     
       10. The sport stick system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the shaft connector of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors includes at least one internal member made of a predefined material, 
 wherein the predefined material of the internal member in each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different, and 
 wherein at least one of a unique strength characteristic of the sport stick and a unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when the sport stick is in the assembled configuration is defined by a characteristic of the predefined material of the internal member. 
 
     
     
       11. The sport stick system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the body of the shaft connector of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is solid, 
 wherein the distal end of the first shaft section includes a first cavity that is at least large enough to receive the proximal detent and a proximal body portion of the body of each of the plurality of shaft connectors, and 
 wherein the proximal end of the second shaft section includes a second cavity that is large enough to receive the distal detent and a distal body portion of the body of each of the plurality of shaft connectors. 
 
     
     
       12. A plurality of shaft connectors for a sport stick that is configured to selectively convert between an assembled configuration and a disassembled configuration, wherein the sport stick includes at least a first shaft section defined by a first proximal shaft section end and a first distal shaft section end, wherein the first shaft section includes a first hole disposed through a wall of the first shaft section proximate to the first distal shaft section end, wherein the sport stick includes at least a second shaft section defined by a second proximal shaft section end and a second distal shaft section end, wherein the second shaft section includes a second hole disposed through a wall of the second shaft section proximate to the second proximal shaft section end, each of the plurality of shaft connectors comprising:
 a body defined by a proximal body end located at a proximal end of the body and a distal body end located at a distal end of the body, wherein a predefined body length defines a length of the body; 
 a first detent extending from the proximal body end of the body, the first detent comprising a first projection that is configured to engage the first hole of the first shaft section; and 
 a second detent extending from the distal body end of the body, the second detent comprising a second projection that is configured to engage the second hole of the second shaft section, 
 wherein each one of the plurality of shaft connectors are configured to couple the first distal shaft section end of the first shaft section to the second proximal shaft section end of the second shaft section in response to the first projection engaging the first hole of the first shaft section and in response to the second projection engaging the second hole of the second shaft section, 
 wherein a total shaft connector length is defined by a distance from the first projection of the first detent to the second projection of the second detent, 
 wherein the total shaft connector length is the same for each of the plurality of shaft connectors, and 
 wherein the predefined body length of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different. 
 
     
     
       13. The plurality of shaft connectors of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the predefined body length of the body of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors defines at least one of a unique strength characteristic of the sport stick and a unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when the sport stick is in the assembled configuration. 
 
     
     
       14. The plurality of shaft connectors of  claim 13 ,
 wherein a first unique strength characteristic of the sport stick when assembled with a first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is defined by a first predefined body length of the first one of the plurality of shaft connectors, 
 wherein a second unique strength characteristic of the sport stick when assembled with a second one of the plurality of shaft connectors is defined by a second predefined body length of the second one of the plurality of shaft connectors, and 
 wherein the first unique strength characteristic associated with the first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different from the second unique strength characteristic associated with the second one of the plurality of shaft connectors because the predefined body length the first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different from the predefined body length of the second one of the plurality of shaft connectors. 
 
     
     
       15. The plurality of shaft connectors of  claim 13 ,
 wherein a first unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when assembled with a first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is defined by a first predefined body length of the first one of the plurality of shaft connectors, 
 wherein a second unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when assembled with a second one of the plurality of shaft connectors is defined by a second predefined body length of the second one of the plurality of shaft connectors, and 
 wherein the first unique flexibility characteristic associated with the first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different from the second unique flexibility characteristic associated with the second one of the plurality of shaft connectors because the predefined body length the first one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different from the predefined body length of the second one of the plurality of shaft connectors. 
 
     
     
       16. The plurality of shaft connectors of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the body of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is further defined by a proximal body portion and a distal body portion, 
 wherein the proximal body portion is defined by a predefined proximal body length, 
 wherein the distal body portion is defined by a predefined distal body length, 
 wherein the predefined proximal body length is different from the predefined distal body length, and 
 wherein the predefined proximal body length and the predefined distal body length of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors cooperatively define at least one of the unique strength characteristic of the sport stick and the unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when the sport stick is in the assembled configuration. 
 
     
     
       17. The plurality of shaft connectors of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the shaft connector of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is made of a different material, and 
 wherein at least one of a unique strength characteristic of the sport stick and a unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when the sport stick is in the assembled configuration is defined by a characteristic of the material. 
 
     
     
       18. The plurality of shaft connectors of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the shaft connector of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is defined by a plurality of walls, 
 wherein the plurality of walls of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors have a predefined thickness dimension, 
 wherein the predefined thickness dimension of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different, and 
 wherein at least one of a unique strength characteristic of the sport stick and a unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when the sport stick is in the assembled configuration is defined by the predefined thickness dimension. 
 
     
     
       19. The plurality of shaft connectors of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the shaft connector of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors includes at least one internal member made of a predefined material, 
 wherein the predefined material of the internal member in each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is different, and 
 wherein at least one of a unique strength characteristic of the sport stick and a unique flexibility characteristic of the sport stick when the sport stick is in the assembled configuration is defined by a characteristic of the predefined material of the internal member. 
 
     
     
       20. The plurality of shaft connectors of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the body of the shaft connector of each one of the plurality of shaft connectors is solid, 
 wherein the distal end of the first shaft section includes a first cavity that is at least large enough to receive the proximal detent and a proximal body portion of the body of each of the plurality of shaft connectors, and 
 wherein the proximal end of the second shaft section includes a second cavity that is large enough to receive the distal detent and a distal body portion of the body of each of the plurality of shaft connectors.